Originally Posted by CappuccinoAddict (Post 28888636)

I've actually never been to a starred sushi restaurant. The main reason is that I feel I wouldn't be able to appreciate the value as much as I do at other restaurants. But I am actually quite keen to try The Araki, if I manage to get a seating. I've just booked Restaurant Gordon Ramsay for November, and will be at The Fat Duck early next year.

Has anyone here done Masa (3*) in NYC? At $595 the price tag just seems silly. I could go to Eleven Madison Park twice for that amount of money.

Originally Posted by jbeans (Post 28888762)

I'm of the same mindset. Masa is the only 3* spot in NYC that I have not gone to. I can get incredibly good sushi and kaiseki elsewhere for less than half the price. Also, IMO if you're going to charge $600 a head, you shouldn't be nickle-and-diming me with supplement charges for every little thing. I mean, $150 extra for wagyu?? For comparison, at Chef's Table you get the whole deal (A5 wagyu, caviar, truffle, etc.) for $330 without any supplement charges.

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37 (Post 28890965)

Masa is also the only 3-star Michelin restaurant in NYC I haven't been to. I'm not in any rush to go either. :) That said, I have to been to numerous starred sushi restaurants in NYC, and I did spend a lot at Sushi Ginza Onodera (1 star). That was absolutely spectacular sushi.

Originally Posted by PsiFighter37 (Post 28890965)

Masa is also the only 3-star Michelin restaurant in NYC I haven't been to. I'm not in any rush to go either. :) That said, I have to been to numerous starred sushi restaurants in NYC, and I did spend a lot at Sushi Ginza Onodera (1 star). That was absolutely spectacular sushi.

Originally Posted by CappuccinoAddict (Post 28888636)

I've actually never been to a starred sushi restaurant. The main reason is that I feel I wouldn't be able to appreciate the value as much as I do at other restaurants. But I am actually quite keen to try The Araki, if I manage to get a seating. I've just booked Restaurant Gordon Ramsay for November, and will be at The Fat Duck early next year.

Has anyone here done Masa (3*) in NYC? At $595 the price tag just seems silly. I could go to Eleven Madison Park twice for that amount of money.

Originally Posted by oh_lol (Post 28892043)

So the Michelin are close to announcing their guide for Bangkok. I''m very interested and excited, as I spend most of my year there, and also co-own a place who, fingers crossed, will receive at a minimum of one star.
I'm very excited, and this will not only even more spotlight onto the wonderful food in BKK, but will motivate the chefs to push their boundaries even further, and will bring even more international restaurants and chefs over to the city.

Originally Posted by jbeans (Post 28891002)

I'm very curious about Sushi Ginza Onodera. It is definitely on my list, after I check out Cagen (1*) later this month. How do you think Onodera compares to the likes of Nakazawa, Azabu, etc.?

Originally Posted by CappuccinoAddict (Post 28894858)

In other news, I've booked The Araki for early December. I was told on the phone they are wide open for December, in case anyone is interested. It's just 9 seats. Despite the ridiculous expense I'm quite excited as it will be my first time trying a proper omakase, despite having been to Tokyo twice and being a sushi fan.

Originally Posted by op487062 (Post 28891411)

I'm not sure how they justify the high price at Masa.

Originally Posted by DSI (Post 28900709)

My favorites are Keste, Cosme and Black Seed Bagel.

Originally Posted by DSI (Post 28900709)

Interestingly, none of the 3 star restaurants in New York rank among my favorite. My favorites are Keste, Cosme and Black Seed Bagel.

Having said that hoping for Eleven Madison Park in early December

Originally Posted by bhrubin (Post 28906127)

In Rome:

La Pagliaccio was amazing. Truly worthy of its 2*. Could almost be 3* in our estimation. Service, food, wine pairings, timing, personality of the staff were all wonderful. Really amazing food, pushing he envelope, and amazingly impressive wine pairings. Absolutely our favorite meal in Rome. Would return in a flat second.

La Terrazza at the Hotel Eden was amazing, too. Felt almost like 2* even though it is 1*. The view was very nice but wasn't particularly incredible for us as much as some say. Service, food, wine pairings, timing, staff were all fantastic. Food and service were much better than even we expected as 1*. A very impressive feeling restaurant with food and service to match..with a nice view. Almost decade t atmosphere which we loved. I showed up unknowing in a dressy but short sleeved shirt, and they apologetically sent me back to get a long sleeved shirt since I didn't want to wear the jacket they kindly offered--and we still absolutely loved this restaurant and our dinner. Almost as incredible as La Pagliaccio. Would return in a flat second.

Aroma at the Palazzo Manfredi Hotel was a good 1* restaurant. Food was very good, better even than we expected, but service could be a bit slow. Wine pairings were good. The view onto the Coliseum is amazing. More casual in decor and feel otherwise, though the staff was more dressed. Would return, but not in a rush.

In Vienna:

Opus at the Hotel Imperial was perhaps the most beautiful of all the restaurants so far. It may be only 1* but it felt better. Plush, almost sexy, decor, incredible service, and very good food. Staff a bit formal but otherwise lovely. I was able to wear a shirt sleeve dress shirt here despite the formality. Excellent dining. Would return if back at or near the Hotel Imperial in a flat second.

Steirereck was a shocking disappointment for us. A very overrated place. While the food was very good, and we enjoyed the service team, the restaurant has issues. The food itself was a study in subtleties, which for us lacked punch. Everything tasted good, but nothing really stood out. But the wine pairings were wonderful. Service had issues with timing throughout--the worst being a ridiculous 30+ min wait for the cheese course. We had to actually go hunt for our servers to complain. The lighting was too glaring on our table on arrival, and only ours, which we complained about. It took 5-10 min to fix. Then some staff flunkie turned the entire room lights back up to glaring not an hour later. Course card descriptions went missing for a few courses. Different wine pairings were brought for the same courses--though all wine pairings truly were outstanding. Felt a bit like a lot of pomp without circumstance, resting on laurels long ago earned but perhaps not quite as deserved today. Looked like a 2* restaurant but delivered at best a 1* dinner. Overpriced. Definitely not a top 10 restaurant as its San Pellegrino rank suggests. Our concierge at the Hotel Imperial was stunned when he read my letter and email of complaint. It's been 3 days and still not a reply to our letter or email. Unlikely to ever bother returning.

In Paris:

La Scene at the Prince de Galles Hotel was fantastic. Hosted a surprise birthday party for my husband. Table of 12 by the open kitchen was wonderful. Service was very good ad prompt yet also relaxed, friendly, and appropriate to our slight casual party atmosphere. Food and wine pairings were wonderful, with a few standouts that were truly spectacular. The 5 course meal at 165 euros and wine pairings at 65 euros seem a bargain in Paris and for the quality we enjoyed. Love the Deco design, though some of the other tables might be a bit closer together than I prefer. Definitely a 1* or better restaurant. Would return in a flat second whenever at the PdG or even at the FS George V next door.

Coming Monday night: Septime and it's 1* in Paris. Hoping for a truly remarkable meal.